In any case, as the history and complexity show, this is not a matter to be settled by arson or armed occupation. The protestors have already been labeled Y’allQaeda, waging yeehawd on the U.S. government, and as sympathetic as I am to the lyrics of the song by Robert Fletcher and Cole Porter, “Don’t Fence Me In,” what’s being done in Oregon is the wrong way to conduct the wrong fight. The federal government isn’t telling us here that we can’t own or carry guns, believe or not believe whatever religion we choose, or speak our minds. Two men are going to prison for setting uncontrolled fires in a part of the country that is plagued every year with wildfires.

I have no doubt that all gun owners will be lumped in with these protestors by groups who seek to bring gun rights to an end, and I reject that characterization. At the same time, I accept my responsibility to speak out as a supporter of gun rights by saying that the protest in Oregon is wrong and does not represent me. History tells us that at times, governments must be fought. History also tells us that opportunists will take advantage of the slightest grievance, and those of us with good sense have to stay clear of that.

The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the position of Guns.com.